Issues and Positions

Below are current efforts to manage aquatic invasive weeds and improve water quality in Clear Lake:

Clear Lake was impacted by very heavy infestations of curly-leaf pondweed (CLP) and Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) in 2021.   These invasive weeds hamper boat navigation and decay late summer releasing phosphorous which causes algae blooms.

1. Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM):  The WLA contracted for a "whole lake" fluridone treatment that was applied June 14th targeting EWM in 2022.   Fluridone is a very expensive, but effective treatment for Eurasian watermilfoil and we hope that this unique treatment will reset the EWM population so that we can target any small areas that reoccur in coming years.   Followup surveys done in 2023 found no EWM, but if you do see some, please report to the WLA immediately so we can target any new growth.EWM in Clear Lake August 2020

2.  Curlyleaf Pondweed (CLP):  Waseca county successfully used the new Weed Harvester in Clear Lake for the first time in 2022 and they were successful in removing 230 tons over 75 acres of the most affected areas of Clear Lake.   That effort was repeated on the southern end of the lake in 2023 and 2024 and plans are the same for 2025.   While the harvester has concentrated on the southern half of the lake, the northern ends of the lake were treated for CLP by the WLA treating 60 acres in 2023 and 75 acres in 2024.  Clear lake will be surveyed in early 2025 to determine locations of CLP and permitted accordingly by the DNR.  Once permits are acquired, we plan to use the lake harvester in the southern half and chemical treatment in the northern half of Clear Lake in 2025. CLP in Clear Lake July 2019

If you are a private lakeshore owner, you can obtain a permit from the MN DNR aquatic plant management staff, and shoreline owners can have 50ft, or one half the length of your shoreline, which ever is less, treated for all weeds.  Licensed aquatic applicators such as Lakescapes, Inc can be contacted and will take care of the permitting for you.